Pet Therapy in Hospice: A Source of Comfort
Pet therapy is a useful tool, found in a number of different clinical and educational environments. It’s the use of animals to help people manage certain physical or mental health conditions. Hospice is one clinical setting where pet therapy makes a major difference. How is it effectively implemented? What are the benefits? By looking into history and learning from the experiences of a pet therapy volunteer at Chapters Health System, we can answer how pet therapy greatly enhances hospice care, providing patients and families a valuable source of comfort.
How Pet Therapy Got Its Start
Formal research into the benefits of pet therapy began in the 1960s when Dr. Boris Levinson coined the term “animal-assisted therapy.” His research was critical to the development of pet therapy as an official form of treatment. However, early clinicians used animals to care for patients much early. According to one study, the first recorded use of animals in a therapeutic setting occurred in late 18th century England with groups utilizing rabbits and poultry. In the late 19th century, English social reformer and nursing icon, Florence Nightingale, recognized the emotional benefits animals provide to patients and began utilizing them in therapeutic settings. The experiences of these early clinicians laid the foundation for what eventually became a widely studied therapy method, benefitting people in various settings.
The Benefits
The companionship of animals has numerous physical benefits that are proven to make a difference for patients with terminal and chronic illnesses. These benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Reduced blood pressure
- Release of “feel good” hormones such as serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin, which produce a calming effect, reducing anxiety and stress.
- Stimulating memories and communication, primarily among dementia patients
- Assist in pain management
- Tactile stimulation
- Reduce feeling of loneliness and social isolation
Some of these benefits even extend to family members who commonly act as full time caregivers for terminally ill patients. For Cheryl McLean, a pet therapy volunteer would have meant a world of difference for her and her father during their hospice experience.
“The hospice where he was at was just phenomenal,” said McLean. “I just thought for me, and my dad, if we had a dog there, it would have been comforting. I really think he would have enjoyed it too.”
So, how do organizations implement this therapy in the hospice setting? What are some effective ways to bring this source of comfort to patients?
Implementing Pet Therapy in Hospice
Creating safe and comfortable environments for pet therapy visits is essential to the success of pet therapy. Hospice organizations, like Chapters Health System, can offer pet therapy in addition to many different kinds of emotional and spiritual support. With effective guidelines and protocols in place, organizations can ensure the well-being of both patients and animals during therapy sessions.
With protocols in place, the next step is finding experienced volunteers with a passion for animal-assisted therapy. That’s where we encounter Cheryl McLean’s hospice experience once again. Her understanding and passion for the hospice mission makes a difference for patients and families.
McLean adopted Slater and Tamar, who labrador retrievers. Both originally trained as guide dogs, assisting the visually impaired. McLean works as the Library Director for Berkely Preparatory School in Tampa, where Slater and Tamar make an impact comforting students visiting the library. McLean realized that potential benefit for patients and families at LifePath Hospice, a Chapters Health affiliate.
“They have somebody they don’t have to necessarily talk to,” said McLean. “They don’t have to talk to me. Just the act of petting a dog calms you down, lowers the blood pressure and just helps you cope with a difficult situation.”
Volunteering for Pet Therapy
Pet therapy volunteers like McLean undergo onboarding processes to make sure they and their animals possess the appropriate skills and temperament for the hospice setting.
For many hospice organizations, especially nonprofits, pet therapy is provided at no cost, making volunteers who donate their time and skills even more important. Many organizations that offer pet therapy programs in hospice rely on dedicated volunteers to assist with various tasks, such as coordinating visits, handling paperwork, and providing support to both the therapy animals and their handlers.
To learn about volunteer opportunities with Chapters Health System, visit www.chaptershealth.org/volunteers.
Chapters Health System is committed to serving the needs of its patients, families, caregivers, health providers, partners and communities.
For more information, please call our helpful Chapters Health team at 1.866.204.8611 or Contact Us.
